WDC complaints show some donors exceeded the annual limit by more than $6,000

The Democracy Campaign based its complaints on a review of state campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political parties with the Government Accountability Board that disclose their fundraising and spending. Pages from the campaign finance reports identifying the contributions made by the contributors who exceeded the limit were submitted with the complaints. The donors who exceeded the $10,000 limit contributed between $10,200 and $16,150, the records showed (Table).

Topping the list was Robert P. Fettig, Lake Geneva, president of Tankcraft a metal fabricating company, who contributed $16,150, and Judith Couri, an executive with Couri Insurance Agency in Waukesha, who contributed $16,100.

Fettig and Couri were among 24 of the contributors who gave all or most of their contributions to Republican candidates for statewide office and the legislature. Five contributors gave all or most of their contributions to Democratic candidates for statewide office and the legislature. Many of these contributors represent powerful special interests including the insurance, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, finance and transportation industries. All but one contributor listed a Wisconsin address.

The Government Accountability Board, which enforces the state’s campaign finance, ethics and lobby laws, may fine those who violate the $10,000 annual contribution limit $500 plus triple the amount by which the limit was exceeded.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is working for a real democracy that allows the common good to prevail over narrow interests. We track the money in state politics and fight for campaign finance and other democracy reforms. WDC is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and charitable contributions supporting our work are fully tax deductible when you itemize.